Santa Rosa Makes History as First Northern California City to Host Finish of 2013 Amgen Tour of California

Santa Rosa, California (PRWEB) April 09, 2013

In an unprecedented event the city of Santa Rosa, located in the heart of Northern Californias Sonoma Wine Country will host the overall finish of the world wide prestigious Amgen Tour of California. The quaint town known as one of the top cycling destinations in the world has previously hosted the start and proceedings for the tour but this is the first time in its history that the route will go north instead of south starting in Southern California, heading north during the eight-day race, with a grand finale in Santa Rosa. The Santa Rosa Convention & Visitors bureau has worked closely with the local organizing committee since inception in 2006 to host participants and viewers of the event. The finish will ride into town on Sunday May 19th 2013. See website for more details.

The tour features 16 of the world’s top-ranked Pro Teams representing nine countries. Santa Rosa is home of BISSELL Pro Cycling, USA the most awarded US team on the roster and is the US headquarters for the Tour de France winning BMC Racing Team, USA and Tour de France winner and past (2009) world champion Cadel Evans as well as the 2012 Tour de France best young rider Tejay van Garderen. “It’s not very often that we get to race in front of a home crowd,” said van Garderen “So I’m really going to relish that. If we can go into the hometown of the BMC Racing Team on the last day in the leader’s jerseyI’d love to be able to do thatthat would definitely be a career highlight. Last years winner Dutchman Robert Gesink will also participate.

The final stage will start in San Francisco with the Peloton crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. “We are like Paris,” said Raissa de la Rosa, who heads the City of Santa Rosas Local Organizing Committee, referring to the traditional finish of the Tour de France. The race started here and its an honor to have it finish here. Santa Rosa is also the hometown of three-time Amgen Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer and host to training camps for many elite pro-cycling teams, as well as amateur clubs and bike-passionate individuals.

The Tour of California begins May 12 in Escondido in San Diego County and will cover more than 750 miles, going through Santa Barbara, San Jose and San Francisco and finishing in Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa and Sonoma County are known as a world class cycling destination and have played host to multiple cycling events including Levi Leipheimers Gran Fondo.

About the Amgen Tour of California

The largest cycling event in America, the 2013 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, created and presented by AEG that challenges the worlds top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course from May 12-19, 2013. For more information, please visit http://www.AmgenTourofCalifornia.com.

About Santa Rosa

Visit Santa Rosa provides assistance to visitors and groups seeking information about lodging, dining and entertainment opportunities in Santa Rosa. The bureau also operates an Official State of California Welcome Center, and helps to bring major events to Santa Rosa, such as the Amgen Tour of California. Members of Visit Santa Rosa have participated in the Local Organizing Committee for the Amgen Tour of California since its inception in 2006. For more information, please call (707) 577-8674 or VisitSantaRosa.com